Chelsea fans have shown remarkable patience and support for Fernando Torres during his time at Stamford Bridge, but many fans feel now is finally time for the club to cut their losses on the Spaniard and move him on.

Since signing in 2011 for £50million, Torres has failed to live up to his transfer tag and recapture the form of his early days at Liverpool. There have been some high points such as his goals in the 2012 and 2014 Champions League semi-finals but there are few strong arguments to suggest Torres is the best option for Chelsea.

The case for selling Torres

It is sad to say but Torres is not the quality that Chelsea need to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League. He is inconsistent, short on confidence and a burden to the club.

His huge salary and presence in the team could prevent the development of players such as Romelu Lukaku and the club’s ability to buy new talent.

Whilst he still has a few years left in him, these would be best spent in a less challenging league such as La Liga, where the style is more suited to him. There have been many false dawns and hints that he may be getting back to his best, none of which have been sustained.

Torres is partially responsible for the sacking of at least one manager and the hiring of possibly the most hated man to ever stand in the home dugout at Stamford Bridge, Rafael Benitez.

Now is the time to do what is best for both parties and find a club in Europe that can buy out his contract and take his huge wages off the books.

Argument to keep Torres

There is the perennial hope that Torres will regain some of the form that created his £50m transfer fee. There have been some highlights of his time, he scored goals along the way as Chelsea won the Champions League and Europa League.

Torres scored the opener in the 2013 Europa League final and has at times shown glimpses of his old self.

Hugely marketable as a player he is a powerful brand ambassador for the club. There is also the fact that due to his huge wages there are few clubs, that would be willing to pay his salary given his struggles in recent years.

Would it be better to have him at Stamford Bridge instead of being forced to subsidise his time at a new club?